TITLE: What is Needed Most part 12
AUTHOR: sablecain
DISCLAIMER: See part 1
AN: Thanks to everyone for the encouraging comments!
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part 12
Sheppard ran, staggering, off-balanced as he carried Rodney through the almost dark tunnel and thankful for the scattered, dim lights flickering along the way. The passage narrowed dramatically once they'd gone about 100 yards from the main cavern. Sheppard checked the life signs detector constantly to reassure himself that he wasn't being led into an ambush.
Kendrick looked back at him with concern. "I could…." he started, but John cut him off.
"I got him."
"You need a rest," The Genii medic tried again.
"I said I got him," Sheppard snarled. He blocked out the growing numbness in his left shoulder and the prickly pains running to his fingertips. He ignored the cramping protests in his back and the shaky weakness in his legs. He was not giving Rodney to anyone.
He no longer needed his radio to hear the others moving up quickly behind them, still chased by Cowen's forces. Once they caught up, it'd be all he could do to maintain pace. "How much further?" he grunted, hating that he sounded like a small child on a long trip.
"We're almost there," Kendrick assured.
John didn't answer, just kept running, one step after another, after another, after another. He wondered where this cave was going to spit them out and how far it would be to the jumpers.
"Here." Kendrick motioned to a sharp turn and John checked the scanner again before following.
With no warning, the dark dank passage spilled them into the sun-streamed light of the forest. John squinted against the sudden brightness, but reveled in the fresh breeze teasing his overworked lungs. He paused and braced himself against a tree as he tried to get his barings. McKay continued to hang limply over his shoulder, showing no sign of coming around. Finally, Sheppard looked at Kendrick who stood studying him without any expression.
"There's a clearing," John panted, sucking in deep painful breaths. "It's above the cave's main entrance."
Kendrick's eyes lit up. "I know the one. It's not far."
"Lead on, then." John pushed off the tree, worried that if he rested too long, he'd never move again. "Ford." He was quickly relaying the tunnel's exit and which direction they were headed in when Beckett's voice cut in.
"Be careful, Major." There was something different about Carson's tone, but John didn't have time to dwell on it as he struggled over the uneven, unfamiliar terrain.
Sheppard's concentration was torn as he tried to focus on following Kendrick, on Rodney's struggling breaths, on keeping his feet moving and on checking the scanner and their surroundings for signs of any lurking Genii. "Where's Kolya?" he asked breathlessly when Kendrick looked in his direction again.
"I don't know." Kendrick was unphased by the question.
"What about you? You going back to him?"
"He is my commander." Kendrick nodded.
John scowled. "Won't he be pissed at you for coming back to help McKay?"
Kendrick turned again, his dark eyes meeting John's gaze. "We split up in the forest. He doesn't know I came back."
Curious, John thought of Kendrick's split loyalties, but didn't comment again, thankful the man was there to lead them to safety and away from Cowen's grasp.
"Here," Kendrick pulled up and looked at John with obvious confusion. Before him the trees ended abruptly at the edge of an empty field. "There's nothing…." Kendrick frowned at him. "You said…."
"Shhh. Hold up." Sheppard watched the scanner and then peered across the small field, being careful to stay behind the trees.
"What is it? Have your ships left you?" Kendrick watched worriedly.
"No, but Cowen's men haven't either." He turned quickly, hearing the other's approach. Ford appeared first, followed closely by Beckett, Teyla and the rest of the small contingent.
"We lost them for now, I think, but chances are it won't take long for them to find us again," Ford informed.
"We've got four unknowns there and there." Sheppard nodded to the life signs detector.
"Do we take them out first or just run for it, using the jumpers for cover?" Aiden asked.
"How long for you to take them out?"
"We don't have time for that." Carson spoke up, unintimidated when both men turned their frustrated glares at him. "Look." He held up his own scanner, showing how a new array of dots had appeared, forming a loose line moving closer to their own location.
"Damn." John looked across the field again. "Okay, Ford, Teyla, you two lay down cover for the rest of us. Wilmington, Allen cover our six. Wells? Daniels?" he waited for them to acknowledge him. "You're on."
He gave the signal and the group moved at once. Ford and Teyla led the way, providing cover fire, but the Genii staking out the field quickly deserted their posts when the two jumpers suddenly appeared in the field.
Kendrick gaped as he ran, but managed to keep up.
Sheppard reached the first Jumper and stumbled at the ramp. Kendrick reached forward to help with McKay when Beckett grabbed the young Genii and slammed him against the side of the ship's entrance. "You don't lay yer hands on him, you hear me?" Carson was livid.
"Beckett," John was confused by the doctor's reactions. "He was trying to help."
"He's got no help we're a wanting." Beckett's hand moved to Kendrick's throat. "Daniels, get out here and take Dr. McKay inside."
Kendrick's eyes widened, fearfully, but he remained silent.
Daniels, obeyed Carson's order without question, moving to ease Rodney off of John and carrying him into the back of the jumper.
"We don't have time for this." Sheppard reminded. "Get in the jumper."
"Ask him about this." Carson held out the hand not squeezing Kendrick's neck dangerously, revealing a primitive looking syringe filled with a clear liquid.
John took the syringe, turning it in his hand and looked up at Kendrick who closed his eyes.
"What is it?" Carson demanded harshly.
"It's- It's just something to ease his pain." Kendrick admitted hoarsely, struggling to speak.
Sheppard reached out and gently pulled Beckett toward him, surprised when Carson so readily released Kendrick. He could still feel the straining tension in the muscles of Beckett's arm. "Rodney needs you," he reminded softly.
Carson glared. "You," he pointed threateningly and then moved past John into the jumper.
Kendrick looked remorsefully at John. "I couldn't let him suffer there and die like that. I didn't know you were coming. Kolya said…."
"Kolya said what?" John stared down at the needle in his hand.
"He told McKay you weren't coming, that you wouldn't come for him. I thought he knew that. I didn't have any place to hide and heal him, but I couldn't bear the thought of him suffering alone."
"He's not alone." John hurled the syringe against the side of the jumper where it exploded.
Kendrick jumped aside. "I know that now." He looked pleadingly at John. "What would you have done?"
John looked down, then checked the scanner, noting how close Cowen's troops were now. "I can't offer to take you with us." He looked back up at Kendrick, ignoring the medic's question.
Kendrick smiled. "I wouldn't accept." He looked out across the field. "I'll be fine. You must go." He turned to leave, but John snagged his upper arm in a steely grip and pulled him closer.
"This is not over." He glowered. "You be sure," he shook Kendrick hard. "You make damn sure that Koyla believes McKay is dead. You hear me? Rodney died before I got to him."
Kendrick nodded slowly. "I understand."
Sheppard released his grip and the medic scurried away, using the jumpers for cover before dashing into the woods.
"Should you have let him go?" Teyla asked softly. He hadn't heard her approach.
"I don't know," John admitted wearily before glancing down at the scanner again. "But we don't have time to think about it now. Let's get out of here and get Rodney home."
